Turkey Rejects Fidan Allegations as Azerbaijan Dispute Deepens

A dispute over restrictions on headscarves in Azerbaijani schools has strained relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan, prompting Ankara to reject allegations that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held secret talks and directed political interference during a recent visit to Baku. The controversy has intensified despite the countries' longstanding strategic partnership and defense cooperation, according to Middle East Eye and Daily Sabah.

On October 17, 2026, the Turkish Embassy in Baku issued a statement denying claims circulated by Azerbaijani media outlets, particularly Qafqazinfo, about Fidan's visit to a foundation established by Turkish philanthropists. The embassy said the reports relied on fabricated allegations and could damage relations between the neighboring countries.

The embassy explained that Fidan had taken courtesy photographs with several people during his visit, including members of an organization legally registered in Azerbaijan. It also denied the existence of an alleged letter to the Turkish parliament that had been cited in support of the accusations.

The embassy stated that the report titled "Behind the Scenes of Hakan Fidan's Meeting at GYF" contained unsupported claims about the minister's activities.

In its official response, the Turkish Embassy rejected the central allegation directly.

"The allegations that our minister held a secret meeting and issued various instructions are categorically untrue," the embassy said in its statement.

The embassy also rejected allegations involving intelligence activities, attempts to destabilize Azerbaijan, and efforts to recruit influential figures. It urged the public in both countries not to accept claims it described as deliberate disinformation.

The diplomatic tensions emerged after Azerbaijan introduced a headscarf ban in primary and secondary schools the previous month, triggering protests and critical coverage in Turkey. Middle East Eye reported that Turkish officials criticized the restrictions, while Azerbaijani political figures and media outlets accused Ankara of interfering in domestic affairs.

The controversy expanded after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized barriers preventing Muslim girls from accessing education, although Ankara maintained that his remarks at the United Nations were directed at European countries rather than Azerbaijan.

Turkish presidential adviser Oktay Saral subsequently called on Baku to reverse the restrictions in a social media post. Leyla Sahin Usta, deputy chair of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party, also criticized the Azerbaijani decision. Azerbaijan's ruling New Azerbaijan Party responded with a warning against what it characterized as Turkish attempts to establish religious or political dominance.

According to Middle East Eye, Azerbaijani sources said Baku had asked Ankara to remove Saral from his official position and pursue action against social media commentators who insulted Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Turkish authorities blocked some accounts, but the report said no further action had been taken at that point.

Qafqazinfo subsequently published allegations that Turkish-affiliated organizations were being used to promote the ruling party's ideology and influence domestic politics abroad. The outlet's report was later removed and republished without passages targeting Fidan after the Turkish Embassy issued its denial, according to Middle East Eye.

Other Azerbaijani outlets also criticized Ankara's regional policies. Publika accused the Turkish government of promoting Islamist and Muslim Brotherhood ideology, while Global Info portrayed Turkey's approach as an attempt to treat Azerbaijan as a subordinate partner. Musavat connected the dispute to criticism of Turkey's domestic political situation.

The disagreement has also raised questions about upcoming diplomatic engagements. Middle East Eye reported that Aliyev's participation in a Turkic States summit in Turkey later in October had not been confirmed by the time of publication. The dispute is unfolding despite the countries' 2021 Shusha Declaration, under which Turkey and Azerbaijan committed to supporting each other's defense.